Hazmat/Tech Rescue Flashcards
Hazmat
Company level incident response
Hazmat acronym
H
H- hazard ID
- liquid, gas, or solid. Vapors - colorless, odorless
- DOT placards and labels, nfpa 704, vessel design
- proper chemical protect of clothing will provide some barriers to toxic exposures
- hand-held gas monitors shall be used
Hazmat
A
- action plan
- brief description of problem
- actions (develop IAP, zoning, victim assessment, mitigation)
- immediate needs (hazmat team, law, other agencies)
- who’s in command
Before attempting a rescue, personnel should use the risk profile
Approach from uphill up wind, avoiding puddles, vapor clouds, or collected vapors
Hazmat
Z
Zoning
- 1st arriving unit should immediately initiate emergency zoning (traffic cones, barrier tape, law)
- 1st arriving should establish perimeter to minimize chemical containment. DOT ERG - Initial isolation zones
Hazmat
M
Managing the incident
- utilize ICS
Hazmat
A
Assistance
- requesting resources as needed
Hazmat
T
Termination
- address all regulatory issues and documentation
- PFA shall notify appropriate agencies, such as Larimer county environment health department t
PFA is not responsible for clean up
Hazmat
Establish control zones
- initial zoning is a critical action of 1st arriving
- 1st arriving shall use DOT ERG, detectors, best judgement in determining initial isolation zones
- zone is used to keep people away from dangerous concentrations , to prevent entry by the public, and unauthorized persons
Hazmat
Establish safety zones
Purpose:
- limit level of contamination
- provide area of safety for responders and customers
- allow to division of labor
Hazmat
Control zones
Size and shape determined by:
- chemical properties
- natural barriers
- quantity of product
- size and condition of container
- physical state of product
- weather
- recognized standards (DOT ERG, cameo, aloha)
Hot zone
- most affected. Threshold limit value (TLV) should be used to determine hot zone
- red fire line tape
- safe refuge area should be located near the entrance to the Decon cooridor
- shall be monitored to ensure customers and responders is not occurring
Hot zone
Guidelines
- toxicity - readings greater than TLV/TWA or PEL exposure values
- flammability - 10% of the lower explosive limit (in doors) and 20% outside
- oxygen - deficient < 19.5%, rich>23.5%
- radiological activity - any reading twice the background level, not to exceed 2mR/hr dose rate
Warm zone
- safe from contamination
- yellow fire tape
- all shall wear appropriate PPE
- includes Decon cooridor, safe area
- shall contain access control points for the hot zone
Cold zone
- outside warm zone, inside scene perimeter
- green fire tape
- command and control functions and Other support functions
- treatment of Deconned patients and responders, interagency coordination, and incident security
Spill & Leak control
- either contain the material or create a safety zone and deny entry (control)
Prior to beginning containment or confinement ops, the IC should consider:
- hazmat involved
- associated hazards
- risk to emergency responders and civilians
- training level and physical abilities of personnel
- special tools, equipment, supplies needed
- emergency Decon and appropriate emergency care
Spill & Leak control
- either contain the material or create a safety zone and deny entry (control)
Prior to beginning containment or confinement ops, the IC should consider:
- hazmat involved
- associated hazards
- risk to emergency responders and civilians
- training level and physical abilities of personnel
- special tools, equipment, supplies needed
- emergency Decon and appropriate emergency care
Confinement techniques
- actions (defensive) occur remotely from spill
- diversion, diking, retention
- these ops avoid direct exposure
- can often be performed without special equipment
- usually be performed by 1st responders with minimal supervision
- based on availability of time, personnel, equipment, and supplies
- a risk assessment must be conducted to review the potential harmful effects of the leak downhill and downwind
Natural gas line emergencies
IC should:
- make decision based on risk profile
- IC ensures: crews wear full PPE and SCBA, attack line(s) at least 1 3/4 inch, patent water supply or other extinguishing agents
- ask dispatch to notify gas company and ETA
- if gas line becomes gas fed fire, FFs should not extinguish until gas company has shut off gas
- if a life safety or property conservation issue exists, it may be necessary to control the fire
Natural gas line emergencies
Monitoring the air:
- use hazmat qrc sequence for help
- monitors help determine if there is immediate danger to life or health. Danger near the leak
- LEL sensor - audible alarm at 10% of LEL methane
- IC should evacuate all interior areas that are in alarm
- should search for and remove or extinguish possible ignition sources (in buildings and vehicles in the area including fire apparatus)
Natural gas line
Determine the IAP:
- based on situation, the IAP can be for emergency personnel (hazmat team) to use a clamp or for PFA to stand-by and await gas company
- IC may call engine 10/hazmat 10 to respond if gas company anticipates an extended response time
- if can do safely, PFA should determine the following to relay to the gas company: color and diameter of gas line, whether the line is completely or partially severed
Decontamination
Emergency Decon:
- purpose is to reduce exposure by removing contaminant
- Decon of ambulatory victims and 1st responders may be accomplished prior to set-up of tech Decon
- may also be used on victims who are outside the hot zone,incapable of self-rescue, and in need of immediate life-saving intervention
- SHALL wear appropriate PPE prior to making any physical contact with a patient
Emergency Decon
Procedures
- remove victim clothing, thoroughly rinse with soap
- dry Decon for radioactive and water reactive material
- dry Decon, protect Pts and rescuer’s respiratory system
- should rinse/wash in an area of safe refuge
- all members participating must be considered contaminated and shall complete Decon of themselves
- IC ensures that the receiving facility is notified that an emergency Decon patient is being transported. Should include suspected contaminant and methods used for Decon
Technical Decon
- prior to hazmat entry into hot zone, a contamination reduction cooridor and appropriate level Decon shall be established
- the purpose is to assure that any potentially harmful residues on persons/equipment are confined to hot zone
- when appropriate, IC or hazmat group sup may appoint a decontamination unit leader
Tech Decon
Procedures
- SHALL only include individuals that are trained ops level
- briefed and physical exam prior to beginning ops
- IC or hazmat sup determines PPE. PPE is equal or one level below the entry team
- all personnel leaving the hot zone shall be considered contaminated
- all materials used in Decon shall be grossly Deconned and bagged for disposal or further Deconned
- Decon team is responsible for deconning themselves
Radiological
Canberra ultra radic personal radiation detector (PRD)
- measures and display the instantaneous radiation dose rate (the average rate in time of radiation exposure) R/hr
Radiological
1st arriving IC should answer the basic questions of:
What do I have:
- responding to unexplained explosions
- known hazmat incidents
- known hazmat sites
- accidents involving common carriers of radiologicals
Radiological
IC what do I need
- Contact RP if available, evaluate the situation and decide the safest means of monitoring
- decide if appropriate resources are en route (hazmat, law)
- make verbal contact with involved patients to keep them informed of what actions are being taken and to determine if any medical issues exists
Radiological
IC what am I doing
- establish command
- secure the scene
- follow the hazmat acronym
Radiological
Strategic considerations
- place, time, occupancy, and other clues to the origin
- all unexpected detonations should assume radiological
- SHALL wear appropriate level PPE when utilizing PRD. Bunker gear and possibly SCBA for initial monitoring
Radiological
Tactical considerations
- 2 separate levels for both dose rate and accumulation
•low level pre-set somewhat above natural background
• high level indicates a significant hazard - PRD has a stay time
Radiological
Task considerations
- when PRD is needed: power on, clear accumulated dose
- if ops level crew experience a dose rate or accumulation dose alarm, they should:
• retreat from the area
• secure the scene to prevent others from entering
• request hazmat response
Radiological
Safety considerations
- 5 R any work
- 10 R to protect property
- 25 R to protect life (may be exceeded voluntarily with knowledge of risks
- members may remain physically proximal to each other for PRD readings to apply
- crews should complete an exposure report for any received doses exceeding 10 R
Radiological
PRD readings
- low rate alarm: 500 ^R/hr
- high rate alarm: 2 R/hr
- low dose rate: 100 ^R
- high dose rate: 10 R
- not intrinsically safe - do not use in flammable environments
Auto X
Response
MVA X
1 ambulance 2 engines 2 trucks SO BC
Emergent
Auto X
1st arriving IC
- safe and effective apparatus placement. Room for support and protect ambulance
- traffic control and scene safety are major concerns. Traffic cones
- all personnel SHALL have on appropriate PPE
- immediate hazard zone = ~ 75 feet around where extrication tools will be used
Auto X
Scene size up
Should include an evaluation of the following:
A. Hazards: flammable liquids, power lines, grade, traffic, etc. A damage assessment including condition and type of vehicles and accident type (t-bone, roll over, Head-on)
B. Access: direction of approach and access for trucks and ambulance. Protect the scene with apparatus and request law. Consider extra resources based on # of vehicles and patients
C. Complete size-up: 360 of the scene. Have EMT enter the vehicle to access patient if vehicle is stable
Auto X
IAP should include:
- establish command
- findings of the 360
- a patient triage report
- a vehicle triage report
- strategic goals and tactical considerations
Auto X
Initial arrival report should include:
- what do I have? Hazard ID and damage assessment
- what do I need? Access plan including approach, protect the scene and request law enforcement, extra resources needed
- what am I doing? Complete 360. Have EMT access pt
- who’s in command? Establish command
Auto X
Follow up report
- findings of 360
- a pt triage report
- a vehicle triage report
Auto X
Strategic considerations
- consider assigning “rescue group” 1st truck
- consider assigning an EMS sup “medical group” to mange triage, treatment, and transport
Auto X
Tactical considerations
- complete basic vehicle stabilization
- consider moving power seats and steering wheel for pt access prior to power down
- power down vehicle, remove keys, turn off headlights, turn on hazards
- cut battery cable
- be aware of undeployed air bags and consider 5-10- 20 rule
(5 for side, 10 for steering, 20 for passenger)
Auto X
1st arriving truck actions and tactical considerations
- complete 360
- stage equipment
- ensure vehicle power down by hazard light failure
- stabilize the vehicle
- id and locate air bag high pressure cylinders and seat belt tensioners “peel and peak”
- remove the vehicle from around the pt
- continuously re-evaluate the extrication plan and scene safety
Auto X
Other hazards and considerations
- a charged 1 3/4 should be positioned and staffed
- IC should consider foam application
- special care for hybrid vehicle and power down. Once the 12 v battery is cut, the system is inoperable
- firefighters should be aware their weight could cause an unarmed air bag to become armed
- extrication blanket
- high intensity discharge head lights pose a serious shock hazard
auto X
Termination
- the rescue group sup SHALL advise IC when the patients extricated bench mark has been met
- demob is still hazardous
- consider specialized cdot vehicles to assist with traffic control
Con space
Intro:
- 60% of victims are would be rescuers. Possible more than 1 victim
- SHALL fit in PFA Risk Profile
- Rescue response: 1 amb, 2 engines, 2 trucks, SO, BC Emergent
- the first arriving IC SHALL request engine 10/hazmat 10 & collapse 6
Con space
1st arriving IC:
- establish command
- locate and secure an RP or witness to gain info
- if OSHA standards are being followed for a permit entry, there should be an attendant at the site with a hard copy permit with pertinent info
Conspace
Size-up
- hazards may include: atmosphere, mechanical, electrical, engulfment, elevation, hazmat, or other
- find out what the space is used for and type of work
- id lock-out/tag-out already in place
- # , location, and condition of Pts
- establish communications with victims if possible
- assess man power and equipment needs and call for additional resources
- secure the scene from bystanders
- assess atmosphere in the vicinity and in con space
- log findings and track atmosphere changes with PFA entry permit
- monitoring firefighters SHALL wear appropriate PPE
Con space
Strategic considerations
- perform rescue vs recovery analysis
- coordinate with a liaison for outside agencies (FC light and power, water department, etc.)
Con space
Rescue group supervisor
Tactical considerations
- develop rescue plan and back-up plan and communicate
- establish working area(s)
- determine PPE requires
- decide air supply needs
- determine the com bucatini and lighting needs
- assign rescue and back-up teams. For every rescuer there SHALL be one back-up outfitted and ready
- briefing of assignments, time limits, emergency procedures and radio designation
- log entry personnel names and times on permit
- determine victim removal equipment
- responsible for rope rigging and coordinating with EMS group sup
Con space
Control
- work directly for the rescue group sup
- direct communications link between rescuers and rescue group
Con space
Air supply/communications
- ensure rescue team 1&2 have continuous air supply
- ensure communications system set up
Con space
Rescue team 1
- evaluate rescue/recovery mode
- perform primary survey on the victim(s), including as assessment of equipment needs
- treatment should be based on time/risk factors
- package victims appropriately
- rescuers should make every attempt to remain on the exit side of the victim during removal
- move victims immediately out of the hot zone
Con space
Rescue team 2
- maintain readiness to help rescue team 1
- should be equipped in the same level of PPE as rescue team 1
- assist with air line management
Con space
Hazmat
- air monitoring
- establish vent if needed
- decide if Decon is needed
Con space
Safety considerations
- SO should review IAP
- establish safety zones
- ensure non-essential personnel are kept out
- control hazards. Lock-out/tag-out
- id any potential stored energy sources that cannot be turned off or controlled
Conspace
Termination
- ensure all personnel are accounted for
- rehab if needed
- secure the scene and turn over to RP or investigation official
- log all pertinent times and info on PFA entry permit
- consider CID
- a hot wash should be performed
Rescue at electrical substations or vaults
Intro:
- electrical substations (overhead transformers)
> 115,000 volts - electrical vaults (cables) at least 13,200 volts